What are the rules for flying drones?

Advances in technology have made drones smaller, lighter and cheaper for people to buy. That means there's a whole new generation of drones that are taking off.

Many people fly them for fun, but there are already lots of new ideas about how drones could be used in the future.

Companies have suggested drones could deliver shopping to your home, or get medicines to places that are difficult to reach.

At the moment there are strict rules about flying drones, to make sure everybody is kept safe.

The Civil Aviation Authority says:

  • Don't fly a drone within 50 metres of anyone or anything, to make sure you're not going to bump into them.

  • Don't fly a drone over people or in built up areas.

  • Don't fly it out of line or sight. You should be able to see your drone at all times.

  • Never fly near airports.

Some of those rules mean, at least for now, drones won't be able to deliver our shopping.

But as technology improves, it's hoped that drones will get better at detecting other objects in the sky, so they can automatically dodge any collisions.

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